Capillariscope in Zenyu Ecospa, Hotel H2O, Manila Ocean Park, Philippines: A Review

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, capillaroscopy is the diagnostic examination of capillaries found in the nail beds and viewed using a microscope.

While doing my research, I found out that there is not much background on this technology available in the Internet yet. A popular item that comes out related to capillaroscopy is nail-fold capillaroscopy. A similar system is provided by KK Technology, an England-based company that provides "instrumentation and software systems for analysis of the microcirculation" (http://kktechnology.com/vcs.html).

capillaroscopy from KK Technology

As you can see in the picture found from KK Technology's website, the capillariscope is connected to computer monitors to show the activity of the capillaries. On the other hand the capillariscope in Zenyu Ecospa has an attached monitor already for viewing. I guess the only benefit I can see is that the capillariscope in Zenyu Ecospa allows an easier observation of your capillaries' activity.

capillaries are readily shown on the monitor of the capillariscope at Zenyu Ecospa

Similar to the handheld dermatoscope used as a nail-fold capillariscope presented in the website of Archives Dermatology (http://archderm.ama-assn.org/), the capillariscope in Zenyu Ecospa works "after a drop of oil (in this case olive oil) is applied to the nail, the objective (microscope's lens) of the capillariscope is placed on the nail fold and lightly pressed." Thanks to advancements, this time the capillary bed is viewed using the attached monitor instead of using the ocular piece of the microscope."

Dr. Eric Tan places a drop of olive oil on the forefinger before viewing it on the capillariscope

After adjusting the fine and course focus knobs of the capillariscope, one can readily see your very own capillaries.

What are capillaries again?
Capillaries are the smallest of the body's blood vessels and are part of the microcirculation. These small blood vessels connect arteries to veins. Capillaries branches throughout the body tissues to deliver oxygen and nutrients and carry away waste products.

capillariscope showing flowing blood in the capillaries

So what is the benefit of improving the health of your capillaries?
The answer is that the faster the performance of your capillaries result to an efficient traffic of delivering nutrients throughout your body and removal of waste products.

The length of active capillaries and the speed of their activity is affected by our lifestyle. Hence, most of the damage our capillaries are subjected to is something we caused ourselves. Majority of the reasons of poor capillary activity I heard from participants were due to high stress in their job, poor sleeping and/or eating habits and health conditions.

But what if you can't avoid the unhealthy lifestyle right away?
That is where Zenyu Ecospa comes in. The participants in the blogger's event for Zenyu Ecospa where kind of hesitant at first and at the same time curious about what their capillaries would look like. Some already mentioned warnings before sitting on the chair about what they ate recemtly, how many hours of sleep they had last night and so on and so forth. I guess they were hoping to justify the lack of visible healthy capillaries.

As the old saying goes, "Looks can be deceiving". Somebody who looks healthy may not be really healthy when you look at them skin-deep wise. I can't help but think that those who do not have satisfactory capillary action in their bodies are potential walking time-bombs ready to explode any condition or disease they might be predisposed of or somehow develop due to their lifestyle. It is a common reaction after seeing the results of the capillariscope for people to utter promises that they will soon change their bad health habits. Personally, one can really hope they do and I am not an exception to those people who need to change their lifestyle.

According to Dr. Eric Tan, the capillariscope can be one of the devices use to diagnose health conditions. However, they would still need more data and information to make an accurate diagnosis.

For now having your capillaries checked in the capillariscope in Zenyu Ecospa has no fee as long as you acquire at least one of the services of Zenyu Ecospa. It is part of their bonus service when you get a massage or enjoy a hot bed therapy. For a list of services currently available at Zenyu Ecospa, check out my Zenyu Ecospa review http://iaadamlim.blogspot.com/2010/09/zenyu-ecospa-review.html

To book appointments at the Zenyu Ecospa, you may call Hotel H20 at Manila Ocean Park at 2386100 or 5677777 and ask to be connected to Dr. Eric Tan, Kat or Lyn of the Zenyu Ecospa.

Kat and Lyn of Zenyu Ecospa

Zenyu Ecospa: A Review

We were invited by Dr. Eric Tan to experience Zenyu Ecospa at Hotel H20 of Manila Ocean Park. Zenyu Ecospa comes from two words: "Zenyu" which means "complete healing" and Ecospa because it is the first eco-friendly spa in the Philippines. Currently, Zenyu Ecospa is also the first and only spa in the Philippines that uses negative ions to restore a person's health while giving an uber-relaxing and rejuvenating experience to its clients.

Reception area at Zenyu Ecospa (right beside Hotel H20's gym)

Dr. Eric Tan, the Zenyu Ecospa manager, gave us a walk-through of the spa. He first showed us experiments he made using the special Ecoparadise paint they used to emit negative ions in the entire hotel and Zenyu Ecospa. Hence, the secret of keeping the air inside Zenyu Ecospa and Hotel H2O fresh is found in this Ecoparadise paint. This Ecoparadise paint emulates the same kind of environment you can get when you visit areas where vegetation and plants abound. Thus, just by lounging at Zenyu Ecospa and Hotel H20 gives one a break from breathing the polluted city air.

This is also the same reason why cheese, raw pork and egg which Dr. Eric Tan placed inside Zenyu Ecospa have not rotten even after 6 months of storage inside the spa. For those of us who have experienced the smell of rotten eggs, we know its just hard to miss it. Hence, to keep these items fresh inside Zenyu Ecospa is an achievement itself. Dr. Eric Tan showed us the specially painted box and Ecoparadise plastic he used to store the items. The box was painted with this special paint from Ecoparadise products. The paint has a pinkish hue and emits negative ions. The same technology is found in the plastic bag which Dr. Eric Tan used to cover the fresh egg.

Raw egg kept for 6 months at Zenyu Ecospa

Another experiment done was using nails Dr. Eric Tan found in the construction site of Manila Ocean Park. Out of the three bottles, one bottle contained the Pirikare powder, another Ecoparadise product. Because the nails were placed in this Pirikare-solution it remained intact unlike those that were placed in normal tap water, rust has formed degrading the nails.

Effect of using Ecoparadise products on nails, cheese and raw pork

To learn more of the Ecoparadise products in Manila Ocean Park, check out my products review page coming out soon.

Our second stop at Zenyu Ecospa brought us to the capillaroscope. This technology is independent from the Ecoparadise products being promoted at the Zenyu Ecospa. However, it can be used vis-a-vis to supplement the concept of what negative ions can do for our body. The capillaroscope is an American product which reminds me of an oil immersion microscope. I will be making a separate feature about the capillaroscope in my next blog.

capillaroscope at Zenyu Ecospa

During the demonstrations of how our tired and short capillaries moved, we learned that by just using the Ecoparadise products in our daily routine we can surround ourselves in negative ions. However, if you are not priviledged to have Ecoparadise products in your life, you can always go to the hot bed therapy for a jumpstart.

Before trying the hot bed therapy, we were given a shot of hawthorn enzyme drink which was made by fermenting hawthorn berries and rosella inside an Ecoparadise pail. The hawthorn enzyme drink will give you a boost of antioxidants in your body. Just a quick recap of what can anti-oxidants can do: It can fight off cancer cells by removing the free radicals in our body.

Enjoying a shot of Hawthorn Enzyme drink

What makes Zenyu Ecospa stand out from other spas is that it is the only spa in the Philippines which has a hot bed technology. This technology was provided by the Ecoparadise products as well. To give you a boost of negative-ions, a 30-minute stay at the hot bed therapy can give you what you need.

Zenyu Ecospa hot bed therapy

The finale of our Zenyu Ecospa experience is a relaxing massage from the masseuse of Zenyu Ecospa. I heard rave comments from fellow bloggers about their massage experience which I guess something I expected since a great massage does give amazing effects on anyone who is tired and stressed. I would like to personally thank my masseuse, Maricel, for aligning my back which caused me this pesky pain brought about by long hours of work in front of the computer.

Massage bed at Zenyu Ecospa

To find out more about Zenyu Ecospa, here are other reviews made by fellow bloggers about the Zeny Ecospa experience:

http://fashion-flick.blogspot.com/2010/09/hot-bed-therapy-at-zenyu-ecospa.html

http://www.purplepieces.com/zenyu-ecospa-a-wonderful-healing-experience/

http://www.surrealprincess.com/2010/09/holistic-retreat-zenyu-eco-spa/

http://freshink.blogspot.com/2010/09/zenyu-ecospa.html

http://littlebeautybag.blogspot.com/2010/09/zenyu-ecospa-manila-ocean-park-h20.html

http://www.earthlingorgeous.com/2010/09/my-hot-bed-treatment-zenyu-eco-spa-hotel-h2o.html

For those who are asking about the rates of the Spa, please check the items below. Please note these rates my change anytime depending on the discretion of Zenyu Ecospa management.

1. Walkthrough of Zenyu Ecospa= free (as long as Dr. Eric Tan is free as well)
2. Capillariscope = free
3. Hawthorn enzyme drink = free (FOR NOW!; remember it takes days to ferment this and it taste so great so book early so you can be assured that its available also there are plans of selling this hawthorn drink)
4. hot bed therapy = Php392.00 or about $ 9 to 10 US dollars (depending on the exchange rate) which is good for 30 minutes
5. massage:
a.) 60 minutes massage of either Swedish or Shiatsu massage = Php672 or P15 to 16 US dollars (you can talk to your masseuse for special requests just remember to give a tip please)
b.) A combination massage costs Php 1008 or $ 23 to 24 US dollars

For couples who would like to book for the hot bed therapy and the massage, it is better to call in advance so arrangements can be made for you.

And finally, to book appointments at the Zenyu Ecospa, you may call Hotel H20 at Manila Ocean Park at 2386100 or 5677777 and ask to be connected to Dr. Eric Tan, Kat or Lyn of the Zenyu Ecospa.

Hawthorn enzyme drink and Hot Bed at Zenyu Ecospa, Hotel H2O, Manila Ocean Park

Animal and laboratory studies have found that Hawthorn contains active compounds with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals; damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes,tamper with DNA and even cause Cell death.

But what is hawthorn?

According to description found in http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com/ for hawthorn flowers, "the White Hawthorn Blossom (Crataegus arnoldiana) was named the state flower of Missouri on March 16, 1923. These small deciduous trees can be very ornamental as we see in this example. The flowers are white and grow in bunches with associated berries They can vary considerably in form, color and size. The White Hawthorn Blossom is most common in southern Missouri."



USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E. et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND.

Free radicals occur naturally in the body but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, smoking and air pollution) can also increase their number.
Free radicals are believed to contribute to the ageing process as well as development of a number of health problems including heart disease.

Antioxidants found in Hawthorn blossoms can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. Enjoy a free Hawthorn enzyme drink made from Ecoparadise pail of Japan only at Zenyu ecospa.

The Hotbed Bed from ecoparadise are made from a special deoxidizing solution that produces negative ions. These are invisible beneficial air molecules that help ward off bactieria, viruses and free radicals.



Zenyu ecospa means complete healing.
Zenyu ecospa is the only spa with negative ion technology which aims for complete healing of mind, body and soul. A 30-minute treatment helps boost antioxidants in your body to protect us from the harmful effects of free radicals and pollution.

Zenyu ecospa and Hotel H2O rooms and hallways are protected from free radicals using the Ecoparadise technology from Japan.

To book appointments at the Zenyu Ecospa, you may call Hotel H20 at Manila Ocean Park at 2386100 or 5677777 and ask to be connected to Dr. Eric Tan of the Zenyu Ecospa.

Zenyu Ecospa Opening at Hotel H20, Manila Ocean Park September 2010

There's a lot of buzz about the Zenyu Ecospa especially now that different media (print, tv, social networks, etc) are featuring this one-of-a-kind spa. However, one may ask what really makes this spa different from the other spas in the market right now?



(The Zenyu Ecospa reception area: Floor to ceiling coverage of Ecoparadise paint. Breath good air while you book your massage. Negative ions wards off bad air that helps free radicals do their thing.)

The main thrust of this spa is that the Zenyu Ecospa is the first ecofriendly day spa:

1. Zenyu means "complete healing"
2. ecospa - cleans the air with the negative ion technology from Japan.



(Hot bed treatment room with negative ion technology. The first in the country. Good for those with skin problems, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sugar count.)

The hot bed therapy is a dry sauna with negative ion technology from Japan. These tiles and bricks used to build the spa came from deoxidizing solution that produces negative ions. Negative ions are invisible air molecules that help fight against free radicals, viruses and bacteria. Negative ions has been proven to come from large bodies of water. majestic waterfalls and lush green forests. Experience what nature can do in an urban environment. A 45 minute session inside will help alleviate a lot of common stress problems including:

- Aching bodies
- Stuffy nose
- Feeling down and tired
- High cholesterol
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure



Product display showing what Negative ions can do. This display shows cheese and raw pork inside the spa. The product display did not spoil nor rot even when it is 5 months on display now. This only shows the energy of negative ions. It wards off bacteria, viruses, free radicals and cleans the air of bad air molecules.

Zenyu ecospa partnered with Ecoparadise Japan to bring to the country this hot bed therapy:

The hot bed therapy can:
1. improve blood circulation.
2. improve blood flow.
3. increase immunity.
4. help fight anti-aging.
5. relieves stress.
6. promotes relaxation.
7. relieves pain, allergies, colds and constipation.
8. improves well being of people suffering from cancer and diabetes.



(Ecoparadise product display in Zenyu ecospa)



A sample of Ecoparadise products available in Zenyu Ecospa are Ecoparadise eco-friendly P.E.T bottle with negative ion technology; Multipurpose powder that can be used for bathing, cleaning cars, watering plants, washing clothes, kitchen stuff, insect repellant and more and Plastic containers that can be used to make home made yogurt in just 4 hours.



(Check how your capillaries are doing using the Capillariscope)

There are also a full lineup of body massages guests can choose from.



(Private massage room)



The longest pool in the Roxas Strip



(Jacuzzi)

For more questions about the Zenyu Ecospa, you may call the Hotel H20 at Manila Ocean Park at 2386100 or 5677777 and ask to be connected to Dr. Eric Tan of the Zenyu Ecospa.

(Photos and labels courtesy of Dr. Eric Tan)

Zenyu Eco-Spa: Upcoming Blogger Event

Based from teasers I got from Dr. Eric Tan's facebook, the Zenyu Eco-Spa will be using ecoparadise products from Japan. You can check out ecoparadise products by visiting http://www.ecoparadise.com.sg/

The Zenyu-Eco Spa offers "deoxidizing solution from Japan that creates negative ion for better health. An eco-friendly spa that generates its powers from nature." It is also the "first eco friendly spa with negative ion hot bed technology from Japan".



Dr. Eric is currently looking for beauty bloggers who would want to try this one-of-a-kind experience for free. There are just a few requirements:
a. You are an active beauty blogger
b. Subscribe to my site (for faster correspondences between us)
c. If you have twitter, follow me in twitter ia_adam_lim and tweet about this blog
d. If you have facebook, invite me at ia_adam20@yahoo.com and repost this blog

In return, the Zenyu Eco-Spa experience you will get will surely rejuvenate you from inside and out and the best thing about it is that all the products and services you will receive is guaranteed eco-friendly.